atw: Re: compiling reports
- From: David Ryan <daverryan@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:57:10 +1000
Hi Susan,
Are you forced to use Word? This kind of thing is where XML and the
concepts behind DITA come into their element. Word processors are
great as the end-point in a multi-user environment, but the source
data can be generated in any number of great tools out there. I can
attest to the difficulty of getting those in through the ICT keyhole,
but you could work up a proof-of-concept with any number of CMS or
intermediary tools. I know there's a powerhouse of XML and DITA-savvy
TW's on here that would have great suggestions if you have any
capacity in deadlines and any sanity left to do some parallel content
tests!
Regards,
Dave
PS, This may just be the analyst in me, but I'm always curious when I
hear of the compilation of regular reports of such drastic size.
Potential for a use case review? That's a lot of FTE from the sounds
of it. Does all of this content actually need to be processed? Are
there red swingline staplers and TPS Reports ;)
On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 4:29 PM, Susan Hunter <sushu20@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Thanks for your thoughts Christine
>
> I already do the cut and paste unformatted, but it is very time consuming
> (especially when you also need to check for the loss of any super/sub
> scripts). I've also done the merge with existing styles. I guess I was
> just wondering if there is an even better way to do this - but maybe
> not......
>
> On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:53 PM, Christine Kent <cmkentau@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> If you are using Word 2010, the solution is simple.
>>
>>
>>
>> You control the master document, and cut and paste the text from all other
>> documents into it using either the unformatted or the merge with existing
>> styles, options. (For those not familiar with 2010, there are more
>> formatting options in 2010 that previous versions.) You can set your
>> preferred default formatting type when you do your first import.
>>
>>
>>
>> If your writer has not used styles at all, bring it in as plain text, if
>> they have used styles with the correct names, bring it in so that your
>> styles of the same name over-rule the formatting of the source document
>> styles.
>>
>>
>>
>> You will still have to go through and re-apply styles to any text that has
>> no style or an incorrect style, but there is no possible way around that.
>>
>>
>>
>> Christine
>>
>>
>>
>> From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Susan Hunter
>> Sent: Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:40 PM
>> To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: atw: compiling reports
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi everyone.
>>
>>
>>
>> I compile a lot of reports at work (some are monthly ~25 pages and others
>> are not on a regular basis and are around ~500 - 1000 pages - excluding
>> appendices).
>>
>>
>>
>> I need to get input from various team members and they all use word
>> (non-negotiable).
>>
>>
>>
>> For the smaller documents I compile everyone's input into one document,
>> for the larger documents I keep each chapter as a standalone document due to
>> managing revision updates and time constraints.
>>
>>
>>
>> Word drives me nuts, so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a
>> program for me to use for compiling the final documents and managing
>> formatting.
>>
>>
>>
>> The documents are for internal use only so they don't have complicated
>> styling; they do have lots of graphs, tables and images.
>>
>>
>>
>> Your thoughts would be most appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> Sus
>
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